The elderly often maintain thrifty habits at home, but if leftovers become spoiled or contaminated, resist the urge to finish them. Spoiled and contaminated food can contain high levels of nitrites, and what’s meant as frugality could end up increasing the risk of stomach cancer. （frugality /fruːˈɡæləti/ 俭省，节俭） The longer food sits at room temperature, the more bacteria multiply. Placing leftovers in the fridge while still hot helps rapidly cool them below 4 C, minimizing bacterial growth. Therefore, make sure to portion uneaten food into shallow, airtight containers and refrigerate promptly. Avoid overcrowding the fridge and divide large portions into smaller containers—thin, quick-cooling containers speed up temperature reduction. Set your refrigerator to maintain a temperature between 0 C and 6 C. This slows microbial growth and reduces the risk of harmful bacteria or toxins from developing in stored food.
